PHANTOM LIMB

Phantom Limb is what happens when an amputee still feels their leg or arm after the amputation and it's not there. It's also the name of the third album by this Swedish jazz rock/prog band. It seems less fusion than say, Mahavishnu Orchestra, for example, and it's here it's not about how fast they can play, for those who thought fusion was technical showoffmanship, which Hooffoot isn't. Apparently, Bengt Wahlgren uses his share of authentic keyboards (the inner sleeve clearly sees him with a Hohner D-6 clavinet, as well as a Fender Rhodes electric piano. I think I also see a real Hammond organ as well, not a Clavia Nord Stage). This go around the album consists of four lengthy pieces, and they are all of equal quality. No filler, nothing that seems out of place, and if I love the sound and they keep that quality throughout, it deserves that five-star rating. The music is very retro sounding, and if I didn't know better, I would have guessed this was from 1972. I have a hard time describing the music, I can't be reminded of those big name American fusion acts, or the British jazz rock and Canterbury scene, but it clearly hearkens from that era of music and they even got that vibe (the problem I have with some retro-prog is they forgot that vibe, and some unwelcome modern elements creep in, but I can forgive a lot of them when many of those musicians weren't even alive during that era therefore not always getting the gist). My only gripe about this album, which hardly affect the rating and it's the vinyl. Nowhere any mention of side one and two on the label or any info. The only way to tell is the etching on the runoff that states "A" and "B". Also, side one both cuts are of similar length, but side two, the first cut is obviously shorter. Other than that, it's the music that matters. All the music on this album is of the highest quality and if you already own their previous two albums, you need to get this one!